Soldier in the war against cancer

Some of you may be wondering where that nice girl Linnea went. Well, beneath my relatively calm, cool facade lurks someone who simply won’t stand down if I feel there is something that can be done to make a situation better. And in this case, any change that comes about is going to happen only after some intense dialogue. In others words, we’re just getting started.

Secondly, I want to make it clear that I am not thinking only of myself. I was in the right place at the right time and have been fortunate to have been breaking trail ever since. As I have pointed out to those willing to listen, very few people in the world have had the opportunity to be in three phase I clinical trials—generally people died while enrolled in their first trial. There are going to be a lot more folks coming down that trail of multiple trials (hallelujah!), and I feel a great responsibility to make the path ahead as accessible as possible.

I also don’t wish to downplay the additional psychic benefit that I and my fellow trial participants get out of knowing that we are making a viable contribution to medical research. Take twelve minutes to watch this video about David Phillip Vetter, the child once known as the bubble boy. His mother dreamed that one day he would leave the bubble and engage in research himself. Ultimately it was his personal ordeal that made the greatest contribution.

Most of us fantasize about doing something significant for mankind and finding a cure for cancer is at the top of the list for many. We can’t all be scientists but there is another way to advance medical research. In the war against cancer those of us who participate in clinical trials are soldiers on the front line, and it is time that we be accorded the same respect as veterans of other wars.

I am lucky enough never to have had to personally think about this subject. All my knowledge on the topic has come from you and your experiences, and it’s woken me right up. You’ve always been an advocate, and an articulate, knowledgeable, smart and fierce-when-neccesary one, speaking up for yourself and for others who, unfortunately, will follow.
It’s your legacy. And you so should get parking!! You be fierce!